About Tom Lusch
Welcome to TomLusch.com! I am currently an FAA Certified Professional Controller (Air Traffic Control Specialist) at Port Columbus International Airport (KCMH Tower/Tracon), as well as a certified instrument rated pilot with just under 1200 flight hours logged. I initially had a heck of a time getting hired by the FAA, as they required that I hold a FAA 2nd Class Airman Medical Certificate. As it turned out, the FAA had initially processed my 2nd Class FAA Medical for flying privileges, but not for Air Traffic Control purposes. The FAA essentially stated that I was safe enough to fly commercially, but not safe enough to work for them as an air traffic controller. If you wish to learn more about such a discriminatory hiring practice (based upon myopia), read LuschEEOC1982.pdf.
From 1982 thru 1993 I worked at Cleveland Center (ZOB). The experience of an aircraft that I was handling, nearly being involved in a midair collision, in which the other aircraft was most assuredly detected by radar, yet NOT displayed on my screen, is the primary reason that this web site exists (see main page).
How long will I remain an air traffic controller? Feb 28, 2011 is my anticipated last day on the job. There is a slim chance that I may be granted another one-year waiver due to the fact that Dayton Tracon airspace is being taken over by Columbus Tracon (cutover date planned for June 4, 2011). Management may, even at the last moment, determine they need me for staffing. However, unless that comes about, or the law changes very soon (extremely slim chance), FORCED RETIREMENT is right around the corner for me.
Incredibly, I recently discovered that if I hadn’t done so well as I began my career (i.e. if I had “washed out” at Cleveland Center, been demoted to Flight Service, then worked my way back to controlling traffic), I would not be facing MANDATORY SEPARATION. It was just last July that I learned that several of my colleagues, who hired in around the same time as I, are NOT subject to the “ATCS Age 56 Law.” Shortly after I became aware of this incredibly unequal treatment, I had an employment attorney look into this. The attorney informed me that a challenge to the law would be exceedingly costly, and have a very low probability of success (see 20101203142252625.pdf). I recently wrote my congressional representative about this situation (see Letter to Austria and Mica 2010-11-20.pdf).
If you wish to learn more about AGEISM IN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL, you may find it helpful to read my Sep 17, 2010 paper, In support of the Fair Treatment of Experienced Air Traffic Controllers.pdf, and my earlier July 22, 2010 paper entitled Tom_Lusch_On_Faa_Forced_Controller_Retirement.pdf. Interestingly enough, I have discovered that the FAA is currently in the process of questioning its own policy, and in a year or two may end up recommending that Congress change Public Law 92-297. If you ask me, the expedient and simple thing would be for Congress to change the law so as to maintain the early retirement provision for those air traffic controllers who are “burnt out” (so that they may to exit gracefully), but allow those of us who are not burnt out to continue to serve till age 65 (i.e. make the FAA controller mandatory retirement age equal to the commercial pilot mandatory retirement age).
Thomas G. Lusch
December 9, 2010
Update, January 4. 2011: Yesterday I received the official denial to my 2nd waiver request (see LuschWaiverDenial20101223.pdf).
P.S. In my July 22 paper, I made mention of controller fatigue. Review this ATSAP Alert from September 27, 2010 that discusses this very important safety concern. We are long overdue for a change in controller scheduling. [ATSAP is by far one of the most important programs that the FAA has created.]
P.P.S.S. In Feb 2000 I launched “Lusch’s Midair Collision Investigations” at http://home.columbus.rr.com. Due to situations not under my control, that site went dark on Dec 12, 2008. Shortly thereafter I launched this site.
[Note: If you’re a central Ohio aviator or interested in aviation in Central Ohio, I recommend that you consider subscribing to NOTAM-KCMH, an announcement web site that I created back in 2000.]
© 2010 by TomLusch.com. All rights reserved.
Supporting documents for “Is the FAA’s mandatory separation law for air traffic controllers rationally related to a legitimate government purpose?”...
